So we save the best for last lol (just playing). Considering how this is the last formal blog for the semester I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for giving me that comfortable space to reflect/vent.
Yesterday’s class was great for effectively reflecting upon your privileges, overprivilges, and underprivileges. Ironically, I attended an event yesterday with Common Justice at Borough Hall. The topic was about healing communities, specifically dealing with faith-based reentry programs for former prisoners and bringing awareness to the resources that are at their disposal such as Common Justice. In this conversation there was a section where we were discussing what we could do for young men of color in an attempt to prevent them from going to jail/prison. As I heard this intense dialogue I observed the room and realized that the very group we are discussing is absent in this conversation. I immediately reflected upon the conversation we had in class yesterday and recognized my privilege as being the young men of color who could provide valuable insight for this group.
One amazing part of this conversation was when a Rabbi from an affluent synagogue in the Upper East Side asked how he could get his congregation in forums such as this. Immediately, one of the panelist stated that the narrative his congregation might have about black people needs to be altered. For his congregation not attending forums that involve the black community indicates either a lack of awareness, lack of compassion, or the belief that black people are just violent, and maybe it’s all of the above plus more. In order for that narrative to change they must hear about the injustices the black community face to explain the pain that is behind a community that is constantly oppressed, ostracized, and demonized. Thus, what was suggested was that a representative of Common Justice would facilitate a workshop at the synagogue that aims to bring awareness about the injustices of not only the black community but also the criminal justice system as a whole.
My goal is to contribute in any possible way I can to change that narrative for society as a whole. My questions to you are: Is there anything you have a single narrative about? If so, what is it? Are there any stereotypes/narratives you would like to expand upon and/or dispel? Why and how might you go about achieving that goal? Be sure to include your privileges and under-privileges and how that may help or hurt this objective.
Danielle Sered is the Director of Common Justice and I feel that she has a tremendous privilege by being a white female that advocates on behalf of the responsible and harmed parties especially considering how many people believe harmed parties are typically white females but in actuality they are young men of color. She has a very important role because she not only provides victim services and an alternative to incarceration for responsible parties, but she continuously dispels/expands the narrative about these parties, which is important for everyone. With that being said, is there anyone you know that has a privilege and can use that to their benefit to dispel/expand a narrative?
I apologize for the lengthy blog but I do look forward to your insight. Have a great and safe break everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
7 comments:
Great prompt Marcus! From our discussions this semester, it is evident that life is very complicated. In our last class, we discussed the concepts of intersectionality, privilege, overprivilege, and underprivilege. Personally, I found that a lot of the themes and elements brought up in our discussion were applicable to my own experiences. Because I can’t think of a single event that encapsulates my thoughts and ideas, I will recall experiences from different periods of my life to form a narrative.
As I shared in our last class, moving to Long Island at age 12 was quite the difficult transition for me. As a young low-income individual who attended an all-Asian private school, I definitely experienced culture shock when I began living in a fairly affluent neighborhood and attending an almost all-white school. I was never materialistic, but it definitely was not easy being around people with the newest gadgets and nicest clothes all the time. In addition to being on the reduced lunch list and feeling embarrassed every day as I went to pay the cashier a quarter for my lunch, I remember feeling inadequate whenever I went to my guidance counselor and asked for SAT waivers, college application waivers, etc. Some of this may not be a challenge for everyone, but I always felt incompetent when I had to ask someone else for help, especially when it came to finances.
In addition to being a low-income individual in an affluent neighborhood, I was always subject to a lot of stereotypes because I was one of the few Asians in my high school. My friends would say things like “Asians are supposed to be smart. What happened to you Nick?” or “Dang, did _____ beat you on the SAT? What did you get on the Math section?”. I was never actually offended by their comments because I knew they were joking. For some, however, these comments can obviously be hurtful and harmful. Fortunately, their comments motivated me to put more effort into succeeding academically, and it helped me develop a stronger work ethic.
In addition, I believe that something that an individual considers to be a privilege for him or herself can possibly be an underprivilege for someone else. For example, in terms of Asian stereotypes about being smart, I feel that there could be both benefits and disadvantages, which depend on the person, and his or her mood/personality/circumstances/resources/etc. For me, these jokes and stereotypes became my motivation and challenged me to be better in all areas of my life. For other Asians, this constant pressure to succeed in academics can actually hinder them from maximizing on their potential and be detrimental to mental health. A lot of my friends found the pressure overbearing, especially when their parents would compare them to their friends who were doing better in school than they were. As a result, privilege is often subjective and depends on multiple factors in a person’s life.
In conclusion, I wouldn’t say that all Asian stereotypes about being smart need to be dispelled (unless it puts Asians in some form of disadvantage, like in affirmative action). Obviously, not every Asian is good at math and science. It is true, however, that Asian culture puts high emphasis on exceling in academia, which is why many Asians do well in school. In addition, many of my friends, few of whom were Asian, ended up acing the SAT’s and going to IVY league schools. I always felt like the dumb one among them, but it became my motivation to study and work harder for my grades. I feel that in my life, elements of privilege have often balanced out other areas of my life in which I feel underprivileged (e.g., being low-income but having the opportunity receive a good education and attend a very academically rigorous school). For that, I am grateful and blessed for both the positive and the negative experiences I have had in my life.
When I was very young and uneducated about social justice issues, I’ve had a single narrative about people who live in low income public housing, and how the unfortunate are always dark skinned. The result of having this single narrative about my own heritage and upbringing, shows how much hate I had for myself without even being aware. Growing up, I always thought I would never be good enough to “make it out”, and how only people with black and brown skin lived in the projects. If you put my mother and I side by side, you wouldn’t be able to tell that I was her daughter. My mother, being dark-skinned didn’t really matter to me, but there were always subtle things that hinted to why being dark was a bad thing. My mother would be treated with disrespect, and discriminated against in her workplace. I remember that every summer, I would always say that “I hate being dark”, and even tried washing off my tan whenever I came back from playing outside. Even people who I have worked with who are old school (and of lighter skin) comment on how I am not black, but Puerto Rican whenever I mention that my mother is black. Therefore, I always associated low socioeconomic standing with being black, and didn’t fully recognize this until I came to college. Turns out there is such a thing as being a poor white man or woman, and being poor is not necessarily a race issue, but society tends to frame it that way because of the world’s history on the treatment of black and brown people. By educating myself about my family’s history and reading on influential black and brown people within history, I have become very proud of my heritage, and becoming a part of the Afro-Latina/o movement has allowed me to achieve self-acceptance. I do recognize that being a light-skinned Latina has given me some privilege, and I always wondered what my life would be like if I resembled my mother instead of my father. Throughout my life I have been able to expand my network, which includes a diverse group of individuals from all races, and classes who I hope can come together one day and alleviate preconceived notions on gender, race and class. Life would be a lot easier.
Growing up my father always pushed this American Dream ideology into me and I believe I internalized so much of it that when I see people living in poverty or homeless people I always have (or well HAD) a single belief about them: they were addicts and they didn't give up what they can to succeed enough in life. They didn't TRY hard enough and they were just lazy pleasure seekers. I think through my life experiences I dispel that narrative well. After my dad died, his life insurance policy turned us from a low income family to a middle class family. However, my mother got sick which again took us away from being a middle income family and when I moved out to NYC alone I was constantly homeless. Every single time I moved it was out of desperation and when you are desperate you move in with anyone that wants you but then you realize there is a problem when they aren't selective. When they ask you to move on without knowing you then there's a reason they can't find someone else. I was also hungry more often than not (last year alone I dropped like 30 pounds even though my meals consisted of Arizona sugar packed drinks and a bag of potato chips) and I'm sure that the homeless people on the streets were eating better than I was! There are so many youth that are homeless and many of them are LGBTQ youth that are in worse situations than I was ever in. We need to educate the public on who compromises the homeless population and the media needs to stop depicting homeless people as drug addicts. In Houston the homeless community is treated awfully and I think I am underprivileged by my race and ethnicity in trying to educate those around me. There's a lot of racism and my Facts and statistics are always shut down. People also don't consider me homeless because I was always showered and never slept on the streets of NYC begging for change. We need to show people who the homeless really are because a lot of them are displaced because of gentrification, people who lost their jobs (I've met so many PHD homeless), VETERANS (there was a 24 year old veteran who had an accident and had eye problems living in the woods by my school), LGBTQ youth etc.
They are not crazy. They did not try hard enough in life. They tried but the capitalist system didn't care about them or their degrees. It didn't see them as people and now society dehumanizes them and labels them all as drug addicts, prostitutes and a myriad of other things so they don't have to take responsibility for them and don't have to feel obligated to help them.
While I was in high school, young and simple minded in the early years I had single narrative for the kids that didn't do well in school. Growing up and going to school where I did, I was met with many students who I assumed didn't care about school and so they didn't apply themselves. I figured that the kids who did poorly and brushed bad grades off were the ones who weren't serious about their education and went to school just because they were required to be there. It wasn't until being exposed to several different factors and hearing other minds speak on the topic that I realized that many things come into play in regards to school. When I wasn't informed enough on the broader spectrum of things I just assumed people didn't care or weren't smart enough to excel academically. Then I was introduced to people's life stories about how they felt failed by the school system, how school isn't for them, how they struggle at some topics and are afraid to ask for help or even that appearing to be intelligent diminished their social life progression amongst the "cool kids". I had it in my mind that minorities put themselves in a box and accept being second to Caucasians in several dynamics. I was privileged enough to attend a private school for some time where I was one of very few black children. Attending a private school that required an entrance exam and required payment to attend was seen as a prestigious opportunity for advancement in education. When moving into the public school system I would always compare things and find my new surroundings watered down. I guess I can say it was snobby of me to think these things but I must admit my limited exposure was true cause to my mindset. I thought at a time that I was underprivileged to attend public school and I was missing out on a lot of opportunities. But then I realized my new environment allowed me to be exposed to things I probably wouldn't have encountered until my later years if I remained in private school. Knowing what I know now I do believe that education is rigorous and depends on school zone, quality of professionals working their and access. I also know not to just assume things based on past experiences and be open minded to the other side of things. Being met with some of the students stories growing up you would find it hard to believe academia is aware of our lives outside of school. We are all compared side by side by a written standard when each individual has their own story and their own situation that takes pieces of them. I find that school systems have their inner workings and agendas which can lead to different perceptions on school. It wasn't that this child wasn't smart or didn't care but the fact that they may be dealing with more than a child should have to at that age, possibilities of mental illness or social problems. It took time to see the world as not just black and white but to see that and the grey matter too. People who are able to experience first hand the unwritten stories but the ones told by mouth and have succeeded can use that to resonate with other struggling through similar obstacles. With my placement site I may not be able to understand or begin to imagine one's life completely but I am able to use what I know and hear their experiences to try and resonate, contribute positively and help in any way I can. I find my past to be one filled with many events that shaped me to be an open minded individual and think more critically as I advance in life. These aspects are ones that I am truly thankful for as they will continue to help me and evolve.
Great Prompt Marcus! One narrative that I'm passionate about is the Angry Black Women narrative. This narrative assumes that when women of color speak their mind and/or have strong opinions about something that it stems from a very hurt place. This has and always will hinder our voices to be heard when combatting issues that are passionate to us, not as black women, but as people. All of our experiences are not the same, nor are the ways in which we respond to things. The "Angry Black Women" narrative is offensive and needs to be largely considered.
I might go about dispelling this narrative by continuing to start conversations with my peers who whole heartedly believe that this narrative reigns true. Additionally, I'm sure my AMAZING research I will do during my graduate studies will underline these issues that make it extremely hard for women of color to be heard and taken seriously in government. It is one of the many variables why women of color are largely underrepresented in elite platforms of government.
My privileges in pursuing this research that will combat the Angry Black Women narrative is the fact that I am currently a research in my undergrad. I am gaining the credibility and skills needed to succeed in graduate school. Many schools throughout the country do not offer such a great program like McNair and I am truly grateful.
My under privilege may lie in the reality that I am an African American Women speaking on behalf of the Angry Black Women narrative. Unfortunately, speaking against this narrative, I may receive huge pushback, with an argument that my opinions are only supporting what I am combatting.
For the minute I first became conscious around 15 at the James Baldwin School I made a oath to constantly ask question. It was one of my school’s teachings, something that was plastered on our school swag; “The paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated”- Baldwin. Because of my radical schooling I have not allowed myself the comfort of a single story but I can see how that in it’s self is a paradox. I went inward and allowed my my lenses to produce a “matter-of-fact” rhetoric that does not care much for looking at the preceptive of those who have created a system that oppress women, queer/trans people, and people of color. My identity that exists in a crossroads of otherness became my dagger. So I have a single story about the ways in which the people I mentioned earlier are oppressed.
I believed/believe(as this is a work in process) that because of greed and narcissism that this world was imagined and created in a way that suits those who are non-threatening to rich white men. I think people who clutch bags as soon as I walk onto a train platform are only doing so because I preserves their inflated sense of self. So I walk around with a fair amount rage that I am not afraid to express(is that in-of-itself a privilege?). So I suppose this is the stereotype I would like to expand upon. My perceptive of whiteness and oppression. My struggle to humanize most white people and allow them a chance to explain.
So my privileges here would be being a queer, tall, cis, masc-passing, black man of color.
Great prompt and self reflection Verons!
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